Assistant Director for Field Operations

Department of Homeland Security (Agency Wide)

$125K — $150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in federal law enforcement or security operations.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in managing large-scale protective security programs.
  • Expertise in criminal investigations and emergency response protocols.
  • Ability to provide strategic advice to senior management.
  • Strong leadership skills to manage and inspire law enforcement teams.

Responsibilities

  • Advise the Deputy Director for Operations on security-related issues.
  • Coordinate with law enforcement agencies to enhance national security.
  • Develop and oversee best practice programs for criminal incidents response.
  • Plan and ensure continuity of operations during emergencies.
  • Guide operational planning for large-scale security operations.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive benefits package for federal employees.
  • Eligible for recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives at management's discretion.
  • Potential for Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) expenses.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Protective Services (FPS), Office of the Director. FPS is the federal law enforcement agency charged with the safety, security and protection of more than 1.4 million employees and visitors to more than 9,000 facilities nationwide. The Director, FPS serves as an extension of the Under Secretary for Management (USM) and operates with full authority to execute the mission of the FPS.

Duties

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The Assistant Director for Field Operations (ADFO) serves as an extension of the Deputy Director for Operations (DD/OPS) and provides oversight and leadership over the Central region of FPS law enforcement and security-related services for all federally owned and leased facilities nationwide, as well as the people who work or visit there.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Serves as a primary advisor to the Deputy Director for Operations and exercises independent judgment and decision-making under the broad operational and administrative direction of the DD/OPS.
  • Serves as the FPS Director's primary representative in the direction and management of FPS Field Operations and employees within the area of assignment and coordinates with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to ensure the interior security of the nation through the reduction of crimes and potential threats in Federal facilities throughout the nation.
  • Provides operational oversight and administration of several FPS Regions and develops, enhances, and oversees best practice programs, policies, and initiatives to support and establish uniformity of FPS response to criminal incidents (criminal investigations) and emergencies on Federal property and police emergency services in natural disasters, civil disturbances, and terrorist attacks.
  • Assists in the direction and oversees continuity of operations planning to ensure efficient and coordinated specialized response capabilities (canine and weapons of mass destruction teams).
  • Provides leadership and guidance on incident management and operational planning of largescale operations to efficiently achieve specified goals and objectives.
  • Evaluate current and proposed programs and operations and recommend action to initiate, modify, or discontinue projects to the FPS Director and Principal Deputy Director as appropriate.
  • Oversees the management and conduct of all regional operations, criminal investigations, law enforcement operations, security related services, and business operations across the Zone. Ensures personnel, equipment, and funding issues are appropriately addressed and FPS policy and procedures are followed.
  • Works with DD/Ops and other executives to identify and implement solutions to business operations issues.
  • In concert with the DD/OPS, establishes and implements specific investigative and operational action plans to respond to criminal incidents and emergencies occurring both on and off Federal property with full law enforcement authority.
  • Oversees high-ranking law enforcement officers engaged in incident reporting, investigating criminal incidents, disseminating criminal and terrorism-related intelligence, and joint terrorism task force operations.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.


Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1. Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing complex, large-scale federal law enforcement protective security programs related to the physical security of facilities infrastructure and protecting employees in those facilities, including investigating threats to personnel and property.

TQ 2. Demonstrated experience providing authoritative advice and counsel to senior officials on complex activities affecting a law enforcement organization, including contract guard operations and monitoring, uniformed law enforcement response, criminal investigations, emergency response to incidents, K-9 operations, law enforcement and security training, contractor adjudications and suitability, and resource management of; finance, logistics, and facilities related support activities.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

  • ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  • ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.


Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and information regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board."

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

Education

There is no educational requirement for this position.

Additional information

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses may be authorized at Management's discretion.

Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive may be authorized at Management's discretion.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Muriel Williams via email at [redacted] .

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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